Naturalist

About

I am a nature lover who has been leading over 100 walks a year in the Toronto, Canada area for many years. As a trained professional orchestral musician, I have devoted a considerable amount of time to the identification of birds by song. Each year, I spend as much time as possible in the remote corners of Northern Ontario, and I have been running breeding bird surveys for the Canadian Wildlife Research Centre in this area for many years. I come from a long tradition of involvement in the natural world – my grandfather, Dr J Murray Speirs, was a professor of ornithology at the University of Toronto and the author of several volumes on birds.

Photo: Judy Cazemier

My love of nature began in childhood as a birder and wildflower enthusiast, and since then my interests have broadened into all areas of natural history. I am particularly interested in the variety of plants and birds from around the world which have become naturalized in North America. In summer, I lead several popular walks highlighting the weeds and birds of the inner city.

I have worked as an educator in the past and continue to work as an adult nature walk leader for the Toronto District School Board. I have done monthly surveys for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority on birds, wildflowers, trees, shrubs, amphibians and lichen. In addition, I regularly lead walks for the Toronto Field Naturalists.

Photo: Judy Cazemier

I have considerable experience as a cruise ship naturalist in the Great Lakes, the eastern seaboard of Canada, the northern United States, and the Antarctic region.